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FAQs

Do I really need a tofu press? ›

A tofu press is not a necessary kitchen tool in the way that a great set of knives or a good spatula is, but if you are someone who cooks with tofu at least once a week, I would consider springing for one.

Whichever make you have, simply put the tofu between two plates, tighten the press, and place it somewhere that will catch the liquid drained (inside a clean sink or a rimmed baking sheet). Press the tofu for 15 to 20 minutes.

Extra firm tofu is tofu that has already been pressed so that it's dense and packed together. You can blot it dry or just leave it out to drain on a layer of paper towels before using. Pressing it again isn't necessary at all.

Is Tofu press dishwasher safe? Yes.

Regular tofu is pressed and has a somewhat spongy texture, and comes in several varieties distinguished by how much water is pressed out. Soft tofu has the least amount of water pressed out, while super-firm has a low moisture content and a dense texture.

Here's the thing: even though tofu might be labeled firm or extra-firm, it contains a lot of water. This excess water can cause the tofu to crumble when you cook it, and it will also have a hard time crisping up. But when you press tofu, you remove the excess moisture.

Use firm or extra firm tofu for the best texture. Avoid silken or soft tofu; they'll fall apart as you toss them in the marinade. We don't press the tofu before tossing it in the marinade as we prefer the texture that hasn't been pressed.

Wrap the block of tofu in a clean tea towel then put it on a large plate with a lip. Put something heavy such as a frying pan on top, weight it down further with cans and jars, and leave for 30 mins. The tofu will be about two-thirds its original thickness, and up to 100ml water will have been removed.

Eat it raw: Tofu is completely safe to eat raw. Whether you press it or marinate it, you can use raw tofu in salads, smoothies, or have it as a protein-packed snack. Marinating: Since tofu has a bland flavor, marinating it is very popular.

Extra-firm tofu has less water than firm tofu, which you notice in the difference in texture. The culinary possibilities of firm and extra-firm are almost the same, but extra-firm tofu doesn't absorb marinades as well. On the other hand, extra-firm is easier to pan-fry, stir-fry or deep-fry.

Why do Americans press tofu? ›

If you cook firm tofu a lot, maybe you already know this: Pressing the tofu compresses it and squeezes out extra moisture, making it firmer and drier, which means you can get a more densely closegrained interior and wonderfully crisp exterior when you cook it.

You'll see this instruction over and over and over in tofu recipes: Press the block for at least 30 minutes, ideally an hour, before cooking.

If you're draining fresh (not thawed) tofu, wrap the tofu in a dish towel. Then place a heavy object on top, such as a sheet pan, cast-iron skillet, heavy frying pan, or a combination of those to weigh down the tofu and press out the excess water. Keep an eye on the tofu, as you don't want it to break under the weight.

Place a heavy pan on top of the tofu and add two canned items in the pan to apply weight to the tofu. Make sure that the weight is balanced to press down evenly on the top of the tofu without being too heavy to break the tofu. This will help to squeeze out the moisture from the tofu block.

On a cutting board or cookie sheet, place sliced tofu onto a folded, lint-free towel. Add another towel on top, along with another cutting board. Weight down with something heavy, like a cast iron pan or some canned goods. Allow the tofu to press for at least 30 minutes.